What is Original Medicare?
The short answer
Original Medicare is the federal health insurance program made up of Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (medical coverage). It covers many health care services but does not cover everything, and it does not cap what you can owe out of pocket in a year.
The full explanation
Original Medicare is run by the federal government and has two parts. Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A if they or their spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical equipment like wheelchairs or oxygen. Part B does have a monthly premium, and that amount can vary based on your income.Here is the important thing people often miss: Original Medicare pays its share, and you are responsible for the rest. There are deductibles, copays, and coinsurance (meaning you pay a percentage of costs) with no yearly limit on what you could owe. That is why most people pair Original Medicare with either a Medigap supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan to help cover those gaps. Original Medicare also does not include prescription drug coverage, so many people add a separate Part D drug plan.
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